NIH to Resume Funding Stem Cell Research for Now

Washington (AP) - The government says it's back in the business of funding embryonic stem cell research - at least for now - after an appeals court temporarily lifted a judge's ban.

The National Institutes of Health said in a statement Friday that it again will evaluate applications from scientists who are seeking money for the experiments, and is resuming its own research.

A federal judge last month barred use of taxpayer money for the stem cell research. That led the NIH to suspend its work to fund new projects and to warn that 22 projects due to get yearly checks in September would have to find other money to continue.

But an appeals court temporarily lifted the ban on Thursday while it considers the merits of the government's appeal.